The Jill Media Blitz

Attention everyone, I would like you to turn to the front page of the Life section of your Winnipeg Free Press. Now does anyone notice anything of particular interest? Yes, you in the back? That is correct, Jill is being featured on the FRONT PAGE WITH A FULL COLOUR PHOTO! For those of you still fumbling around for the correct section, Jill, and her friend/esteemed co-worker, Amara, have been featured on the front page as women who love shoes. Wow, it took me just under 25 years to be recognized for my shoe collection--way cool.

The photo shoot was a lot of fun. I grabbed the majority of my 53 pairs of shoes, loaded them into two laundry baskets and hauled them to Amara's house. Amara was surprised at the size of my collection--I was almost embarrassed! I think I have a problem. The shoes I am holding in the picture are on of my favourites Nine West. Vince, can you find the famous Franco Sartos that carried me through that night in Toronto? This is why I love shoes--each one holds a story.

It took a bit of time to set the shot up. Thanks goes out to Amara's husband, Christian, for helping with the set up. Amara and I were beaming when the photographer referred to us as, "the models".

My quote of the night:

Me: I envisioned an American Beauty shot, you know, with the girl and all the rose petals

Photographer: Yeah, what's different about this?

Me (blushing a little): We're not naked. (Not that I wanted to do that shot)

After Amara and I finished playing "models" we toasted our 15 minutes of fame with some red wine and cheese. Then we continued the celebration at The Keg. It was great!

Most of my readers know that I am also scheduled to appear on the CBC News sometime. I did an interview last week on the federal tax incentive for buying monthly bus passes (this was the fun opportunity that Amara offered me the previous week while I was at the RMH meetings). The taping started with me getting onto the bus after work. The bus was pretty full and people were staring. I tried to act casual and just chat to Amara, but I realize out of context on TV I'm going to look like a very friendly bus rider. Eventually I got to sit and the interview started. Then I had to transfer onto another bus which thankfully was less full. The interview continued for a little while longer. I think I mostly sounded intelligent. As I said, it was supposed to air last week sometime, but I didn't see it and they didn't call me to tell me it was going to be on. I thought it was only going to be on the Manitoba news, but the consumer reports section appears on the regional broadcast, so my reach may be even further than I first thought! So yes, the Jill that you know and love is the face of an average Winnipegger. Wait a minute, average? I'm only average on my bad days. :P